After breakfast, they had to take a long ride. Although Anna asked where they were going, Aiden didn't give it in.
He maintained an air of suspense.
After an hour of journey by car, they traveled in a chopper for another couple of hours before landing on a ship.
It is not a cruise, a yacht or any fancy ship.
It is a huge research vessel and a person was already waiting for them when they alighted the chopper.
She is a young lady in a white coat.
And, when she saw Aiden, she smiled warmly and then they shared a brief comfortable hug.
"Anna, she is my cousin Teresa. She is a marine biologist." he introduced the young lady to Anna.
"Teresa, meet Anna. My friend." he added.
After sharing a brief handshake, Teresa ushered them into the research vessel.
She gave a tour and Anna looked around, enjoying every bit of it.
When she was doing her masters, she took marine biology as one of her electives because she enjoyed it.
At that time, she and Aiden were dating, so he knew how much she enjoyed that stuff.
And, he also knows that she wanted to do real time research but couldn't do it because of time constraints and moreover, it's not her major.
Before she noticed, it was already afternoon. She and Aiden had lunch with the team and Anna got to listen about their researchers and all the other stuff which was very interesting to her.
When Anna was thinking that the fun had ended, she was wrong. It has just started.
Aiden and Teresa took her to the deep tow, which is set to go on a expedition into deep waters.
"You guys are going down?" Anna asked, excited.
"You and Aiden are accompanying me and my husband. It's a short trip. Probably five to six hours max. Are you willing, Anna?" Teresa asked.
Technically, she shouldn't be giving access to anyone outside the research team to use this deep tow system.
It's dangerous and more importantly, it's illegal. But her cousin called her yesterday and for the first he asked her something
She couldn't say no. But still she denied as it's the government property and not hers. Only when he assured her that he would get her the permission notice from higher officers, she agreed.
Today, before lunch, he showed it to her. She doesn't know what her cousin is doing for a living after resigning as CEO, but she could tell that he is a powerful, influential person.
"Can I?" Anna asked, surprised.
She knows that this is not accepted. She has to be one from the research team to go on a deep expedition.
"Yes, I got approval." Teresa answered.
"God! Thank you!" Anna exclaimed happily.
She wanted to go for a long time, but after she started working, she couldn't find any time at all.
So, gradually she forgot about it. However, when she was in her masters and dating Aiden, she used to talk about it often.
However, at that time she didn't have clearance to go deep diving.
Now, at last, she has time to do it. Moreover this came totally unexpected so, it is even more exciting for her.
Meanwhile, Aiden didn't speak a word because he was busy imprinting that exciting face of Anna in his memory.
Seeing her in a jolly mood became rare after she came back.
"Thank you." Anna sincerely thanked Aiden.
This is really a thoughtful surprise. It is even more impressive that he still remembers this tiny wish of hers when she, herself, gave up on it.
He must have put a great effort to arrange this in short notice. It's been years since she felt moved like this.
"I am glad you liked this, Ms. Lopez." Aiden said, still doing the 'stranger' act.
"I am being serious here, Aiden. I have really wanted to do this since I was a teenager. Deep water expeditions hold special importance to me." Anna said.
Her mother, the one who was her center of world, was a marine biologist. Anna grew up listening to the adventures and discoveries her mother and colleagues have experienced.
"Thank you so much." Anna said and gave him a hug. A hug friends usually share, no romance attached.
"I remember everything about you, Anna. Whenever I used to speak to my cousin Teresa, I used to remember you. I used to think how much you would have enjoyed spending a day as a marine biologist." he whispered to her.
His cousin is not aware of the history he and Anna share, so he has to be cautious.
Anna froze when she listened to his words. Whenever Aiden confesses things like these, she couldn't help but hate herself.
She doesn't deserve a man like Aiden.
"Let's go?" Teresa asked, interrupting them.
She sensed something suspicious but didn't probe further. Her cousin has been single all his life till now.
He just reached 30. Now is the time to settle down, so bringing a girl along with him only made Teresa happy.
After that, Teresa and her husband got into the front seats while Aiden and Anna occupied the back seats.
Soon, they started going deep into the water. Starting from sharks, fishes and other common species, they got to see many other rare and unique aqualife.
The colorful corals, school of fishes surrounding the corals, jelly fishes and much more. Ocean is a never ending mystery.
Anna enjoyed it thoroughly. She took pictures, enquired about the species and their specifications and she was glued to the glass, never letting her eyes wander.
In a blink of an eye, five hours passed. By the time they arrived back at the vessel, it was already evening and the sun had already started to set.
Bidding their farewell, Anna and Aiden climbed into the chopper.
"Did you enjoy, Ms. Lopez?" Aiden asked, back to strangers' actions.
Whenever they start talking about the past, it would hurt one of them unintentionally.
So, he is back to strangers acting as he didn't want to ruin Anna's mood.
"This is the best surprise I got in years! I felt like I was back in my teenage years. If it was my teenage version, she would be looking at you like you were a God." Anna said and chuckled.
"This is really the best time I have had in years." Anna sincerely said with a twinkling eyes.
No need to be on guard every time. No need to hide her thoughts and what not! She had been her true self down there, exhibiting her curious and lively self.
"I am glad the first part of your getaway is worth cherishing." Aiden said as they flew into the sky.